Rain slows seeding progress

More than three-quarters of the cropland in Saskatchewan has now been seeded.

Thursday’s Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Weekly Crop Report said that 78 per cent of the crop is now seeded, up from the five-year average of 76 per cent. Last week it was 64 per cent.

Progress has slowed with recent rain across much of the province.

In the Prince Albert area, the northeast region jumped to 80 per cent from 59 per cent last week and just nine per cent two weeks ago.

Elsewhere across the province, the southwestern region has 86 per cent of the crop seeded, west-central region 85 per cent, northwest 76 per cent, southeast 71 per cent and east-central region 67 per cent.

The breakdown by crop in the province is; 88 per cent of durum and field peas completed, 84 per cent of spring wheat, 79 per cent of lentils, 76 per cent of canola, 66 per cent of barley, 56 per cent of flax, and 46 per cent of mustard.

Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland across Saskatchewan is rated as 19 per cent surplus, 77 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hay land and pasture moisture conditions are considered to be 12 per cent surplus, 81 per cent adequate, six per cent short and one per cent very short.